Watchdog Online

Daniel Bice politics chat transcript

Friday, June 20

Watchdog columnist Daniel Bice answered your questions during a Friday chat about Gov. Scott Walker and his political ambitions, the not-so-secret John Doe investigations, and anything else on your mind, including the World Cup, Nick Cave or Middle East politics. Assisting Bice will be our Watchdog intern, Devon Waugh.

Q:
Chris,
Whitefish Bay
- Since you're likely taking daggers from others, whom do you think the Bucks should draft at #2?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- We're back and ready for all of your questions, and a first glance through the list suggest that we're feeling a lot of rage this week. But a short announcement first. It's summer, and summer means two things: (1) World Cup. So if I seem a little distracted, it means I'm trying to see if Costa Rica will beat Italy. (Yes, yes, yes.) (2) Interns. Today we have a special guest: Devon Waugh, a rising senior and journalism student who will be helping me with the answers on some of your hard-hitting questions. So let's get to it.

Q:
John Doe,
Milwaukee
- You've been writing about me a lot. You've been around the block. Tell us, am I going to be a player in the governor's race?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- So nice to hear from you. I almost think of you as family. Of course, you're going to be a major player in the governor's race. You were in 2012. The more things change in Wisconsin politics, the more some things stay the same.

Q:
Andy,
Madison
- Lot's of discussion on various Student Loan Plan reforms. Candidates from both parties have plans. Only Ron Johnson thinks status quo is ok . Seems like lot's of folks have or had student loans. can this be an important voting block like soccer moms? Count me in!

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: It's something that every college student and their parents have on their minds. More and more college students are graduating with debt after taking out student loans. As a college student,I always notice this stress gets magnified for seniors. It puts pressure on that scary thought that you actually have to go out into the real world and leave college behind. Definitely something to watch, there needs be a big push for reform to make college more affordable if this gonna change anytime soon.

Q:
Tom Simpleton
- Do you think the growing Hispanic population in Milwaukee is contributing to soccer's increasing popularity in the area?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Hmm, kinda bored by the question, and I've got nothing to add. So let me tell you a story. I like talking to politicians face to face rather than relying on statements from staff. (Canned quotes make me sneeze.) Gov. Walker is great about chatting with me. But I went recently to see U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore at an event held by Emerge WI. They wouldn't let me near her. What's the deal with that? I was told I had to buy a $150 ticket and that no tickets were available. OK, people, Gwen Moore can handle herself. If she can take on Colbert, she can hold her own with me.

Q:
Todd Robertson,
Franklin
- So you appeared on Steven Colbert?!?! Dan, did you know that he's not a real conservative, that he just plays one on TV? If you're trying to earn cred appearing with a real TV conservative, try O'Reilly's show.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Speak of the devil. OK, just to be clear (Gov. Walker's favorite phrase this week), I didn't appear on Colbert. He used a clip of me asking Walker a question at a recent press conference and Walker answering said question. Colbert then riffed on the answer. But, just to be clear (there we go again), I would totally go on Colbert's show or O'Reilly's. They would destroy me, but why would you pass that up?

Q:
Kevin Finnerty,
Combined Locks, WI
- Who is your favorite rapper?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: If I had to pick one in particular, I'd go with Nas. Illmatic is a classic. But keep Earl Sweatshirt on your radar. He'll bring something very different to the game when his next album drops this year.

Q:
coosaw2004@gmail.com,
Milwaukee, WI
- Where did you get your law degree?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Same place you got your journalism degree. Boom. Actually, I don't have a law degree or a journalism degree. But let's keep that between us. (For the sticklers out there: (B.A. in ancient Greek and English from Bryan College; A.M. in social science from University of Chicago.)

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: Based on what was released yesterday, the investigation's on hold for now, so it's definitely not resolved.

Q:
Sugar Daddy
- Several "bloggers", as well as Scott Walker, claim that there is nothing to this John Doe thing. Based on what I have read, if the 7th Circuit agrees that Walker violated the law, then is he just blowing smoke to save his campaign prospects?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Wait a second. Didn't Gov. Walker say repeatedly that those involved in John Doe investigations can't talk about. We found out yesterday that he and his campaign are targets of John Doe II. So what's the deal? He's gone from saying nothing to giving press conferences, doing radio interviews, tweeting tweets and writing column on the subject. Word to the wise: As someone who has done this column-writing bit for a while, the pay isn't particularly great and the critics can be harsh. Governor, you might want to keep the day job, in other words.

Q:
Luke,
Oshkosh/WI
- The current minimum wage is $7.25/hour. Someone working 40 hours a week would make only make $290.00 a week (52 weeks X $290.) and $15,080 a year; he/she would be living in poverty. Why is Governor Walker so strongly opposed to raising the minimum wage?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- No one told me there would be math with this chat. Please, people, no more math questions. (Check resume above -- all humanities and soft science; no math.)

Q:
MFallsMan,
Menomonee Falls, WI
- Dan,
First off, I apologize for the length of the question.
In your article yesterday you included a quote from the defense which held that for coordination to be illegal it must include "express advocacy" and that coordination with groups solely for "issue advocacy" has never been illegal. I was wondering why you didn't touch on the difference between express vs issue advocacy and their legal implications in any of your recent articles given that it would seem to be an important part in helping the public make an informed judgement.
The Brennan Center in it's Buying Time 2000 publication has a full chapter on this. It indicates that candidates of both parties began using similar coordination structures commonly (emphasizing issue advocacy) dating back to 1996 to skirt campaign law. To this date, this has never been held as illegal, although the ethical implications and potential changes to the law have been hotly debated.
I think these issues are important for multiple reasons - for the public to make an informed decision on what has unfolded in the John Doe process and also to facilitate a better discussion on the state of campaign finance law, given how common these types of political organizations appear to be.
As a watchdog columnest, shouldn't you also be providing your readers with the tools to interpret the incredibly dense facts you're presenting to shape public opinion? How much have you examined the facts of the John Doe case and where alleged coordination fits into that express vs. issue advocacy distinction?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- If ever a question answered itself, here it is. The reason we don't go into great detail on express advocacy is that you can't discuss it without going into great detail. As you just did.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Sykes is a little cuter. Looks like he's even lost some weight recently. But I'm married and the s-s constitutional amendment is on hold, so this discussion is purely theoretical.

Q:
Mark,
Franklin
- WHY ARE YOU ONLY ANSWERING THE DUMBEST QUESTIONS ON THE PLANET? I DON'T KNOW WHO'S CREDIBILITY IS LOWER, DANIEL BICE'S OR MJS.

Q:
One of your little friends,
Fox Point
- What is the last book you read?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. I found it in a tiny airport bookstore of all places. It's an eye-opening read that shouldn't be passed up.

Q:
Denise L.,
East Side
- You're recent article quoted Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel saying "Why can't a legislator press for legislation that benefits a person who has contributed to their campaign Isn't that the essence of representative government?" 1) Did that surprise you. 2. Do you agree with his statement. 3. Will this hurt him in his campaign to be AG.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Glad to change topics. The entire episode tells politicians and others in public life not to respond to a political foe at 10 p.m. Save the email as a draft and then read it in the morning. Schimel clearly didn't do this. The email doesn't bounce him from the race. But it will be used in the general election, meaning he has time to come up with an effective response. Just don't slap something together at 10 p.m. the day before the ad is slated to run.

Q:
rememberwhen
- Something that I have not seen written about is while working wisconsin residents saw a reduction in the amount of state tax withheld from their weekly paychecks a few months ago, are the 2014 tax tables going to also be reduced to reflect true tax savings or will we all pay it back when we file our state tax return?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Guys, I told you about math questions, and this is seriously bordering on violating that rule. Let me think about it.

Q:
Tom,
Cedarburg
- Given the much more extreme scandals (including deleted emails, some coincidence), do you really think that anyone is going to care about these scandals at all when they vote? And if they do, what is the likelihood that they dislike the scandal here and are somehow okay with the national scandals?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: It's gonna be on people's minds when they vote, but especially for those who follow this closely. I don't think it'll matter to someone who has no idea what a John Doe investigation is. It's a complicated legal battle that deals with campaign finances, so that's not exactly something voters can easily wrap their heads around.

Q:
Michael Leon,
Fitchburg, Wisconsin
- Among the missing pieces in the latest document release is Scott Walker holding a question-and-answer, town hall-style meeting in the manner of Gov. Christie.
What, speculating, animates Scott Walker effectively hiding from the people of Wisconsin?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Actually, I give the governor credit for talking to the press yesterday. Cool as a cuke. In fact, I thought he did much better yesterday than he did on other recent issues, such as same-sex marriage. I don't really see Walker doing a town hall-style meeting on this subject. But I don't expect President Obama to do the same thing ever either.

Q:
Ronaldo,
the sidelines
- What about the World Cup? Why are you ignoring that important story? But seriously, who do you like? We know you follow this carefully.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- So who's winning the Italy game? First off, I'd like to see the US advance. That would be a major triumph. I'm also a huge Messi fan. I'd love to see him and Argentina do well, but I was generally unimpressed with its play v. Bosnia-H. My wife's family is from France, so I keep an eye on what Les Blues is doing.

Q:
Bob,
Washington D.C
- Do you think that investigative journalists should at least make an effort to come across as nonpartisan? If so, why do you spend the vast majority of your efforts focusing on the GOP? If not, I hope you enjoy working for the MJS for the rest of your professional career, although I hear that HuffPo is now accepting applications.

Q:
Jeff K,
Waukesha
- Do you or your editors have a responsibility to move Walker's statement ahead in the piece? You don't even mention that the case was thrown out until paragraph 9--and that's inside Walker's statement. Until then, the reader can reasonably deduce that this is an open, ongoing investigation and that Walker is indeed presumed to be a "criminal."

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Serious question, so I'll give a serious answer. We focused on the prosecutors' case today because that was new. Much of the complaint filed by Eric O'Keefe had already been made public. We weren't saying the prosecutors' case was valid or not, but we got to see the outline of their case for the first time. As for the governor's response, we have stories on his press conference, his "Fox & Friends" appearance, his TV ads and his Sykes interview. If he says anything more this afternoon, we'll print that, too.

Q:
Gary Tenpas,
Port St. Lucie, Florida
- Since this chat has gone on for over 45 minutes and you have not answered my earlier submission I will ask a different one. Based on what your intern has contributed to the chat I am curious as to whether you gave any thought to bringing on a conservative for the position. After all, isn't the JS an equal opportunity employer?

Q:
James,
Milwaukee
- Can you tell me which law or laws Scott Walker supposedly broke? Be as specific as possible. Thank you.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Better yet, go to jsonline.com and look for our coverage on the John Doe records release. We have posted Exhibit C, which gives everything you want to know about the case special prosecutor Fran Schmitz was hoping to pursue.

Q:
Cheryl M.,
Bay View
- In writing about Mary Burke, you talk a lot about her PR skills, or lack of same. Are you focusing on this because you think it'll cost her votes or even the election? In comparison to the many pols you've covered, how would you grade her on PR?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Is this really true? Do I focus on her PR skills a lot? If so, I had no idea. As for how I'd rate her, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke is much better on the stump and with the media than she was in October. That said, she still remains very defensive and cautious in most of her responses. In her April edit board meeting, I think I called her views on one issue "squishy," something the Republican Party then turned into an ad. But it was true.

Q:
Jim,
South Milwaukee
- Seems like The Journal-Sentinel Cohorts on the Editorial Board have finally wised up to the errors they made in their staunch support of David Clarke. What do you think was the final straw?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Yeah, I have no idea what tipped the balance. I just can't believe the abundance of good campaign contests we have this fall. Clarke-Moews is probably my third priority, but it still should be a very good race.

Q:
Harold ,
Shorewood
- What got into John Chisolm, firing back at David Clarke?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- The better question is, why didn't he fire back sooner? Clarke has been criticizing Chisholm for years, but Chisholm has not responded. Likewise, the targets in John Doe II have been attacking him for months, but he's not said a word in response. It would be good to hear him say why he doesn't think the probe is partisan, etc.

Q:
James Timms,
Milwaukee
- You're a dick!!!!

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- I see my colleagues in the newsroom have joined the chat.

Q:
Devon Waugh,
Milaukee, WI
- Can I leave at 2:30 for the Convention at Miller Park?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Go for it.

Q:
Adam,
Thiensville
- Why on earth would people who want to ask Dan Bice a question want to hear what his intern has to say about important issues? Are you (Devon) some unpaid 19 year old that's trying to speak with some authority on issues in the news?
This whole "chat" seems absurd considering Dan's not even answering most of the questions.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- OK, Adam, get style points for your question. Very good. But just to be clear, Devon is 20, not 19.

Q:
John Chisholm,
Mequon, WI
- Are we still on for massages and frappuccinos after the soccer match?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Xbox hands down. There's no comparison in terms of how much you can do with the system.

Q:
Slimer the Spud,
The Other Dominion
- Would you rather fight 1,000 bees trained in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, or one Gracie family member trained in Jiu Jitsu wearing a bee costume?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- I don't even know what this one means. BTW, I didn't answer the XBox question. That was Devon on a subject that she knows way better than I do.

Q:
bruce ,
milwaukee
- why is tom barrett never scrutinized for sending his kids to the most expensive and exclusive private schools in the area?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Here are a couple of little known facts: My kids went to school with Gov. Walker's kids when they were younger. Several of them then went to school with Mayor Barrett's kids when they were older. This is such a small metropolitan area.

Q:
Mike,
Waukesha
- The GOP writers are out in force telling us...nothing here....move along.
Your co worker Schneider is the one given the loudest voice:)
So is this over or just the beginning?
You think it's funny that Schneider and his pals say " Randa shut it down. Move on"
Yet after judge Crabb made her decision...they want appeals and reviews!
Seem hypocritical to you?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- I love hypocritical. The best part is hypocritical is bipartisan. This is what you need to know: Two trial court judges -- one state and one federal -- have, respectively, quashed the subpoenas and halted the investigation for now. The final word on both matters will come from appellate judges. Should make for a fun summer and fall.

Q:
disgrunted chat fan,
madison
- Thumbs down to the intern-answering-chat-questions deal. Whose bright idea was that? The kid may be a nice person, but the point of the politics chat was to get your thoughts. Nobody cares what an intern thinks. Don't do that again.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: :(

Q:
Jim,
Milwaukee, WI
- On Walker speaking out about the investigation: "Didn't Gov. Walker say repeatedly that those involved in John Doe investigations can't talk about. We found out yesterday that he and his campaign are targets of John Doe II. So what's the deal? He's gone from saying nothing to giving press conferences, doing radio interviews, tweeting tweets and writing column on the subject. Word to the wise: As someone who has done this column-writing bit for a while, the pay isn't particularly great and the critics can be harsh. Governor, you might want to keep the day job, in other words."
Walker has said consistently he cannot talk about an ongoing investigation. The investigation, by judge orders, is over. That is why he is now free to talk about it. Duh.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- I always enjoy it when people quote me in my own chats. It's like the people who send me columns that I've written. I guess they think I may have missed it. To answer your question, Judge Randa issued his decision temporarily halting the investigation a while back. Walker was saying he couldn't talk about it as of two weeks ago. Randa didn't do anything since that time. My guess is that Gov. Walker wasn't responding to a development in the John Doe investigation but to the release of the documents.

Q:
LeRoy,
Pewaukee
- So what about Nick Cave? Is this a must-see show?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- This is a question I'm asking myself this very moment. Someone has offered me a ticket, but I'm leaving tomorrow morning to go on a mission trip to D.C. (Man, I'm being a good religious dude this year -- just got back from leading a trip to Israel and Jordan. Third time.) Should I pack or should I see Warpaint and Nick. What do you think?

Q:
John Casper,
Milwaukee
- Daniel,
Was shocked when so close to November, Paul Gigot, Rupert Murdoch, and the Wall Street Journal editorial page were so direct in their criticism of Gov. Walker. Is it going too far to say that the entities behind those Wall Street Journal pieces are comfortable with Gov. Mary Burke?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- The involvement of the WSJ in John Doe II is hilarious. Stephen Moore, who just left the editorial page, help found Club for Growth. Paul Gigot, the editorial page editor, received a $250,000 prize from the Bradley Foundation, which is run by Walker's campaign chairman. But has any of this been disclosed? I guess it has been now.

Q:
Mark,
Franklin
- Have you seen the latest Gallup Poll today? Public confidence in the media is at an "ALL TIME LOW". How do you feel knowing that you contribute to that low ranking and that you work for a company that is a major part of this problem?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Perhaps Devon should answer this. It's a little late for me to jump ship. But our newsroom is full of interns dying to get into the business. Maybe you can persuade them otherwise.

Q:
Dave,
Pewaukee
- Any chance you're going to answer my question about Doyle and Kohl campaigning for Burke? I've asked it twice already. It's definitely a better question than about Xbox or trashing Devon for being on this chat.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Great question, Dave. Really. I love this question. It also shows that persistence works. Ask a question enough times, and I will get to it. Especially if it's a really good question like this one. Did I mention that I liked the first version of the question. The second one was better. But you really nailed it here. Thanks for writing.

Q:
Jenny,
Oconomowoc, WI
- Any truth to the rumor that Judge Randa might be under investigation for "obstruction of justice" for trying to destroy evidence in an ongoing investigation?

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- John Doe III. Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm launches a new secret investigation of the judge overseeing the lawsuit attempting to put an end to John Doe II. I like it. Talk about drama. However, it sounds like a completely bogus rumor.

Q:
Paul Juno,
Milwaukee, WI
- Thumbs up to the intern-answering-chat-questions. We all had to learn our jobs at some point in time.
Paul

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Devon Waugh: :)

Q:
Burt,
Kenosha
- Dear Dan - I read your all your columns. How many Scott Walker stories have you written? Don't you get tired of "all things Walker"? I enjoy your work (You have a great flare for writing). And this comment goes for all of JS too ... less Walker would be nice for many of your customers. Let us enjoy some Dan Bice material on other issues.

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- You read "all" my columns. Not even my mother reads all of my columns. So I'm impressed. I do like writing about Gov. Walker. People also like reading about him. If I say anything about him, I'm guaranteed 200 comments. They are from only four people, but still. Take a look through my recent columns and blog posts. I do write about other people: legislators, county staffers, and even some city officials. But readers don't eat those up like the do with Gov. Walker. I'm just trying to figure out what I would do if Walker ever lost. Imagine if Walker and Clarke lost this fall. I would have to go out and get a real job.

Q:
Dave,
Pewaukee
- Jim Doyle and Herb Kohl were very popular politicians in Wisconsin. Doyle ran for political office and never lost a race (out of 5 tries). Kohl won his U.S. Senate seat four times. Do you think they could stump for Mary Burke and be an asset to her campaign or do former politicians end up being "yesterday's news?"

A: Daniel Bice (with Watchdog intern Devon Waugh)
- Hey, why didn't anybody ask this sooner? Anyway, thanks for all the questions. We've unfortunately left a bunch on the floor. Feel free to contact me directly at dbice@jrn.com. And thanks to Devon for being a good sport and helping out with the chat. I think the kid might have a future. And if you want to reach her -- or ask her out on a date -- she's at dwaugh@jrn.com.